Saturday, February 13, 2010

How Firm a Foundation


I will never forget that particular Sunday morning. I was going through the normal Sunday morning routine preparing to go to church to worship my Jesus. It was a pretty ordinary day until I remembered that I had purchased something new called Spanx. Spanx are a type of undergarment designed to reshape you.The saleswoman told me that this “foundation garment” would change my life! So I decided that this would be the morning that I would reshape myself and have a life changing experience.

With eager anticipation of a new and svelte me, I carefully pulled the undies out of their package. Out came something so small that it looked like a pair of footless tights that belonged to a toddler. Good grief! How in the world was I supposed to get into these tiny little things? I was not going to let their teeny, tiny size deter me from my goal! So with much determination, I began the life changing process of getting into this fashion miracle.

I put one foot in, then the other. So far, so good. I managed to pull the garment up to my shins and then it quickly became apparent that I was going to have to really work to get them up any further. So I began to hop and pull on the Spanx™ at the same time. It kind of reminded me of the potato sack races we used to do in grade school. Finally, I was getting somewhere. I hopped and pulled, and hopped and pulled, and was making great progress. Just as I had almost achieved the impossible, the unthinkable happened. My feet got tangled up and down I went, sprawled out in the floor, the perfect picture of grace. A quick word of advice: NEVER try new undergarments on Sunday morning without giving them a trial run first!

While I was lying there trying to catch my breath, Robert walked in, looked at me lying in the floor and said, "We are going to be late for church". And then he turned around and went out to the car to wait for me. Ummm, thanks for the concern honey.

By this time, I had worked up quite a sweat with my little hopping and pulling aerobics. I was also having a hard time breathing, due to the constriction of the Spanx™. And then wouldn't you know it, I had to use the restroom. Oh. My. Word. So I began the arduous process of removing the Spanx™. And then it hit me; what in the world would I do if I had to use the restroom during church? What if I couldn't get them off? And seriously, it really was hard to breathe. All these things started rolling around in my mind. I was so focused on my uncomfortable predicament that I totally lost focus on what the day was all about.

And then an amazing thing happened. The Holy Spirit said, "This garment would hinder your worship." Wow. The Sovereign God of the universe used something goofy that I had done to teach me a lesson on worship. I had become so concerned with my uncomfortable garment that it would have been impossible to keep my mind on why I was going to church. My discomfort would have been my primary focus, not Jesus. He reminded me that worship is at the heart of my relationship with Him. It has to do with the condition of my heart. And if my heart is divided and distracted by other things I cannot possibly worship Jesus in the way He desires to be worshiped.

Is there something that is hindering your worship? Ask God to point it out to you. We owe Him nothing less than our undivided hearts.


Life is Good,

Cindy

10 comments:

Leah Adams said...

I just love this story....laughing with you, not at you. Cuz you know it could just as easily have been me.

Love you, my friend.

Leah

fuzzytop said...

Cindy - you are so precious! I loved this post, and I knew there was a reason I have never purchased these.... I would have the same problems putting them on too....

Have a blessed day!
Adrienne

Joanna said...

wonderful story, even better conclusion, perfect example of God's sense of humor, and how, even then, it always leads to His glory....keep laughing and writing about it!

Love you,

Joanna

AmyW said...

I remember when I pulled out my Spanx and thought..."there is no way all of this is going to fit in that."

Becky said...

I have been curious about Spanx. I definitely need some shaping and complete transformation, but I am all about comfort these days! From the sound of it, these things would be bought and stashed in my drawer!

I hope you made it to church and enjoyed your worship time - without being totally uncomfortable!

Thanks, Cindy, for all your sweet comments on my blog.

Love,
Becky

Yolanda said...

Cindy,

I'm so glad that you dropped in causing me to come to your blog as well. THIS IS RICH and I'm such a visual learner that this leaps off the screen at me.

Blessings to you!

Yolanda

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

So funny! I've wondered about Spanx. Now I know! ha ha

God bless!

Marilyn...in Mississippi

Unknown said...

wow...I just happened upon your blog and HELLO...I love it:) So refreshing to hear the truth in such a creative/real way! Thank you so much for putting your energy into something simple like a blog to help us all face the day a little brighter/stronger and with conviction! I plan on sending your link to my friends! Blog on!
Erin
You can find me at:
www.sweetoshop.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

OK THIS WAS HILARIOUS!!!!! You are too much! I love me some honesty!

Lora said...

Oh. my. word. funny.